1. The Relentless Evangelist

3. Acts 15:1-2
Then certain individuals came down from
Judea and were teaching the brothers,
“Unless you are circumcised according to
the custom of Moses, you cannot be
saved.” And after Paul and Barnabas had
no small dissension and debate with
them, Paul and Barnabas and some of
the others were appointed to go up to
Jerusalem to discuss this question with
the apostles and the elders.
 “judaizers”
What does
this mean?

4. Acts 15:3
So they were sent on their way by the
church, and as they passed through
both Phoenicia and Samaria, they
reported the conversion of the
Gentiles, and brought great joy to all
the believers.
 Outcast cities
 Outsiders
“converting”
 Nazareth to
Samaria
What does
this mean?

5. Acts 15:4
When they came to Jerusalem, they
were welcomed by the church and the
apostles and the elders, and they
reported all that God had done with
them.
 Welcomed
What does
this mean?

6. Acts 15:5
But some believers who belonged to the
sect of the Pharisees stood up and
said, “It is necessary for them to be
circumcised and ordered to keep the
law of Moses.”
 What
outward
signs do we
impose
 Pharisees
What does
this mean?

7. Acts 15:6-7
The apostles and the elders met
together to consider this matter.After
there had been much debate, Peter
stood up and said to them, “My
brothers, you know that in the early
days God made a choice among you,
that I should be the one through
whom the Gentiles would hear the
message of the good news and
become believers.
 Peter’s Call
VS
 Paul’s Action
What does
this mean?

8. Acts 15:8-9
And God, who knows the human heart,
testified to them by giving them the
Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in
cleansing their hearts by faith he has
made no distinction between them
and us.
What does
this mean?

9. Acts 15:10
Now therefore why are you putting God
to the test by placing on the neck of
the disciples a yoke that neither our
ancestors nor we have been able to
bear?
 We had to so you
do too?
 Holding others to
standard you can’t
do
What does
this mean?

10. Acts 15:11-12
On the contrary, we believe that we will
be saved through the grace of the
Lord Jesus, just as they will.” The
whole assembly kept silence, and
listened to Barnabas and Paul as they
told of all the signs and wonders that
God had done through them among
the Gentiles.
 Grace – the
great
equalizer
What does
this mean?

11. Acts 15:13-14
After they finished speaking, James
replied, “My brothers, listen to
me. Simeon has related how God first
looked favorably on the Gentiles, to
take from among them a people for
his name.
 Who is
Simeon (Luke
2:25–35)
What does
this mean?

12. Acts 15:15-16
This agrees with the words of the
prophets, as it is written, ‘After this I
will return, and I will rebuild the
dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I
will set it up,
 They had been
quoting the
Bible for the
circumcision
debate, but
needed to be
reminded of
what else the
Bible said.
Details vs Big
Picture
What does
this mean?

13. Acts 15:17
so that all other peoples may seek the
Lord— even all the Gentiles over
whom my name has been called. Thus
says the Lord, who has been making
these things
What does
this mean?

14.  Everyone is included? Really?
 What if you had been following hundreds of rules as
part of your faith and suddenly those who had not, were
included?
 What differences between people might Paul list today
if he were convincing us that we are all one in Christ?
 Saul was given a new name marking his new life.
 If you were given a new name, for service, what would it
be?
 Do you think you need something as drastic as a name
change to change your life?

15.  Read Galatians 6:17
 When Paul talked about having the “Marks of Jesus
branded” on his body in Galatians 6:17, he probably
wasn’t talking about tattoos. His marks may have been
scars from his persecution or imprisonments. Like
tattoos, they may have been permanent markings that
came with pain and tagged him forever.
 Draw/write some of the things that have painfully
“marked” you on the paper provided

16.  Anyone have any interesting scar stories?
 How do you feel about tattoos?
 How about after you have kids?
 Or are a grand parent?
 What would a tattoo symbolizing YOUR “mark of
Christ” look like?
 Do you “wear” your faith more publically or privately?
Where would you put your “mark of Christ” tattoo?

17.  Rose
 High point in your faith
and/or life over the last
week
 Thorn
 Low point in your faith
and/or life over the last
week

18.  Suggestions for May Youth Group event?
 One final spot remaining for Mystery Mission Trip
2013
 Car Wash – June 2
 All are asked to come and participate (Mystery
Missionary kids required)
 Kiddie Carnival – Old Settlers Weekend
 All are asked to come and participate (Mystery
Missionary kids required)
 Confirmation Day is May 19, all 3 confirmands will be
robing and acolyting that day.

19. From Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God every time I remember you Ryleigh,
Mary, Wyatt, Jake, Keaton, Erica, Taylin, Devin,
Kode, and Zach, constantly praying with joy in every
one of my prayers for all of you, because of your
sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.